IRISH CHALLENGE TO RETURN TO KILLEEN CASTLE IN 2026
France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy who won ther 2025 Irish Challenge at Killeen Castle (Getty Images)
HOTEL PLANNER TOUR
August 12, 2025
The Irish Challenge will return to Killeen Castle for a second consecutive year in 2026, after making its debut as a HotelPlanner Tour venue last week.
The announcement will see the Co. Meath course, designed by 18-time Major Championship winner Jack Nicklaus, host three successive years of the Irish Challenge after it was initially named as the venue for the 2025 and 2027 editions last year.
Killeen Castle has previously played host to the Solheim Cup and three editions of the Women’s Irish Open. Last week, the historic venue hosted to its first men’s professional event, with France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy overturning a three-shot deficit on the final day to secure a maiden HotelPlanner Tour victory.
The 20-year-old carded rounds of 71-67-69-70 to end the week on 11 under par, with Ronan Kleu from Switzerland in second place, and Denmark’s Jeppe Kristian Andersen in third after he set a new course record 65 on day three to move into contention.
Robert Moran ended the week as the leading Irishman in fourth, and with it secured the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy and a spot in the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club next month.
Jamie Hodges, HotelPlanner Tour Director, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Killeen Castle in 2026 after the venue made a brilliant debut on our schedule last week.
“The estate offers one of the finest golfing experiences in Ireland and our members will relish the opportunity to once again compete on the magnificent Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
“We are grateful to everyone involved at Killeen Castle, in particular Cormac Ryan, Mark Collins and their respective teams. Not only that, but the members and volunteers for helping to make it a week to remember. We’re incredibly pleased that we’ll be back for the next two years.”
IRISH CHALLENGE WINNER!
France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy came out on top at Killeen Castle to secure his maiden HotelPlanner Tour victory. READ REPORT
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Cormac Ryan, Director of Golf & Hospitality at Killeen Castle, said: “To host the HotelPlanner Tour and its members for three consecutive years is a tremendous honour for Killeen Castle and a testament to the team effort that went into delivering a truly memorable debut in 2025.
“The Irish Challenge has already captured the imagination of our members, guests, and the wider local community, and we’re excited to build on that momentum. With the stunning Jack Nicklaus Signature Course as the stage, we look forward to once again welcoming the stars of tomorrow to Co. Meath in 2026.”
The date of the 2026 Irish Challenge will be confirmed later this year alongside the announcement of the full HotelPlanner Tour schedule.